So on Saturday hubby and I, together with a friend headed off to the Photography Show in Birmingham.
This is our 3rd trip to the show which was held at the NEC.
The last couple of times we went it coincided with the Comic Show! Thousands of comic fans arrive dressed up in some incredible outfits. It’s an amazing sight!
Sadly this year this wasn’t the case. The Big Bang Show and a craft show didn’t have the same impact.
We arrived about 10.30 at the show. Hubby and I have a routine when we attend. We start off in the far left corner and work our way up each row.
The show is full of a large variety of exhibitors including Canon, Nikon, printing companies, Studio equipment, digital photo albums, editing software etc.
I had a list of things in my head I wanted to look for! A new case for my Canon, new editing software and a hip holder for my camera!
So as we head up the first isle we are curious to explore what is on offer as well as see what amazing equipment is out there ! Some won’t be of use to us, but is interesting. A lot will be out of our budget but it’s still great to look at it and maybe have a play! But what ever was on show, it was certainly going to be interesting!
At the end of the first row we come across a stand for Removu. They are selling Gimbals! I’d never seen or heard of them before so was really curious. There was a couple that caught my eye. One for your iPhone and the other a 4 in 1!
Now if you don’t know what a Gimbal is, and I didn’t as I said, it’s a piece of equipment that helps stabilise your camera when you are moving.
I used to use my iPhone for videos but found it was chewing up my memory and battery. I invested in a GoPro and a Canon Powershot last year instead. When doing my cooking vlogs I use them both together.
Unfortunately, I’ve never had much success videoing when we are out and about because you tend to get a bit of shake. My hubby says it’s like getting sea sick! So Gimbals really captured my curiosity.
The 4 in 1 particularly got me excited. The Gimbal had a built in camera, video recorder and stabiliser all built in! It’s rotating head meant you could capture some really good wide shots!
The stand has a show offer on. £100 off the Gimbal plus a free case and rucksack holder. You could also buy an accessory kit half price! I was sold! I thought hubby would try and talk me out of it. Tell me it was a gimmick, but he too could see it’s worth! Don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t have stopped me buying it. I earn my own money, so can spend it how I like, but it is good to get his opinion.
Although I wanted to buy it there and then, I decided to wait and see what else was around . I mean, I hadn’t actually planned to buy anything like that before I came!
We continued our walk around. There was so much to see. Some amazing cameras and lenses that we could never afford!
I found a stand that did the hip holder. The stand was busy so I couldn’t really get to ask questions. It was perfect from what I could see – Spider Pro SCS. It was however a lot more expensive than I thought!
I decided to leave it for another day! I have a birthday coming up, and it could go on that list
The Gimbal though was still playing around in my head! Finally, after a few hours we had exhausted all the stands! I suggested to hubby that we go back and have another look at it.
We had seen another Gimbal on another stand. It was a lot more compact, didn’t seem as good!
So we headed back to the stand again. I had a lot of questions to ask, and they were able to show me some videos that had been recorded from it. It definitely lived up to my expectations. The decision was made. I was going to buy one.
The stand didn’t sell them themselves, you had to go to the London Camera Exchange stand. So off we went.
At the stand I asked them for the product. After a bit of difficulty locating it, they finally found it. When they came back though they hadn’t got the free gift or the additional accessory kit I wanted.
After another long search they came back with the free gift. Still no accessory kit. The computer said they should have 1! Yes you heard it – 1! I’m not being funny but this was the first day of the show. The Gimbal stand were promoting this amazing deal, however they only had 1 item available to sell! This is so not good marketing!
After another long wait, they couldn’t find that 1 item. They did however offer to send it to me. Initially for a £4.99 postage charge! I refused to pay this. If they don’t hold stock on day 1, then it isn’t for me to pay to have it posted to me.
The lad who served me was lovely though and I did feel for him.
It was agreed it would be sent to me free of charge, although not until after the show! As it was only a ‘nice to have’ additional accessories, I didn’t mind.
Whiles I was waiting for them to find the items, I checked on Amazon for the micro SD card. It was half the price I could get it for at the show, so I quickly ordered it for delivery the next day.
Eventually, I had my new toy in my hands and on the way home to try it out! Very excited I have to say!
Gimbal – https://amzn.to/2FiUiW0
Accessory Kit – https://amzn.to/2FiUiW0
64GB Memory Card – https://amzn.to/2OiEPYZ
When I got home, I placed it on charge. The next day the card arrived. Ooh the excitement!
I read the instructions quickly and decided to go for a walk to try it out!
I have to apologise for anyone who may have seen me, skipping and singing at one point! I wanted to test the microphone and movement out!
I got home and downloaded it onto the laptop!
The quality of sound and video were fantastic. I was over the moon I decided to do a product review vlog!
See my vlog here:
I was so happy with my toy!
Now, I just need to go on a long walk and really test it out! It has 4 hour battery life which should be enough for a nice long country walk!
So even though I never planned to buy a Gimbal, I have to say it was a fantastic purchase. If I hadn’t gone to the show, I would never have known about it! If you see a show like this go along. If you book early you tend to get some good deals.
For £11.00 each, we had a great day out, and learnt a lot more about photography and what is out there! Plus I got a new piece of equipment to improve my videoing ability!
Slimminginspirations4u 